Lakai shoes at $69 after Luis Mora’s exit: good deal or trap?

Level: Beginner

June 2026: Luis Mora, the YouTuber who was set to own 22% of Lakai, gets a 30‑day notice. Two months later, the brand founded in 1999 by Mike Carroll and Rick Howard drops all its new shoes to $69. A storm‑trooper brand slashing prices—is this the deal of the year or the perfect trap for your first pair?

This name is popping up all over your feed: layoff, clearance, Skater of the Year. It’s normal to hesitate, especially if your parents are footing the bill. By the end of this guide, you’ll know what to buy and what to leave on the shelf.

30‑Day Notice in June: What Happened at Lakai

Lakai is the shoe brand behind Girl and Chocolate. Mike Carroll and Rick Howard built it in 1999 and ran it for 25 years. In 2007, their video Fully Flared - 2007 snagged Video of the Year at the Transworld Awards.

In October 2024, the brand was sold. The new boss is Marc Roca, a businessman who buys struggling companies. Carroll and Howard are sidelined. Carroll likens it to a breakup, a divorce.

Roca hires Luis Mora, a highly followed skate YouTuber. Mora builds a team, takes them to film in Tokyo, then signs Chris Joslin, who wins his first Street League title the week he wears the brand.

Then, in June 2026, Mora announces on Instagram that he’s fired, and the whole team will follow. In the wake, a “Bye Bye Lakai” sale pops up online, at rock‑bottom prices, according to Shredder.

Except the crew isn’t leaving. Bastien Salabanzi from Toulon stays. Joslin drops a video early August: the squad’s holding it together, the brand messed up and needs to earn skaters back. He ends with “Lakai or die baby.”

Vulc or cupsole: the 6 models at $69, which one fits your feet

Before the model, check the sole. A vulc sticks you to the board. A cupsole cushions landings. At Lakai, the cupsole is called XLK.

1. Cambridge — The brand’s best‑seller, vulc. Suede, mesh and perforated synthetic leather. There’s a kids’ version, handy if you’re still small.
2. Manchester — Over 20 years in the catalog. Vulc, seam‑free toe, minimal pieces: simple and solid for learning the ollie.
3. Telford Low — XLK sole, shock‑absorbing heel pad. Chris Joslin’s go‑to.
4. Essex — Open mesh, raised studs on the side, sportier look.
5. Conrad — Rubber pads on toe and heel, elastic straps that keep the tongue in place. Nothing moves.
6. Aran — Retro vibe, padded interior, comfy straight out of the box.

Chris Joslin et sa Telford Low : ce qu'une pro model change pour toi

Chris Joslin wrapped up 2025 crowned as Thrasher’s Skater of the Year. He also nailed the first ever 360 flip at the bottom of El Toro, California’s giant stairwell. His Telford Low keeps the base model’s vibe but adds a side reinforcement piece and a beefed‑up toe box. The insole sports his G‑MA logo, a nod to his grandma.

Pro models usually cost more because of the name tag. At Lakai, that’s not the case: $69, same as the rest. The brand said on Instagram: more pairs on the streets, more royalties for skaters. His whole journey is on his rider profile, and his two parts are broken down here.

Deal or trap? The answer’s in one model

Our verdict: good deal. The drama played out in the office, not on the shoes. The soles, the materials, and the crew testing them are the same. Joslin and Salabanzi stayed on board, and Nassim Lachhab signed in July.

The trick is to grab the cheapest clearance pair without thinking. You’re just starting out and mostly riding the skatepark? Grab the Cambridge in Vulc. Starting to jump stairs? Switch to the Telford Low, your heels will thank you.

The suede wears fast under the grip, that’s normal. To stretch your shoes for weeks, read our guide to double the lifespan of your shoes. And if you haven’t picked a board yet, start with choosing your first board right.

How much does it cost, and where to buy your pair

• New Lakai pair : 69 dollars, the retail price set by the brand in the U.S.
• Kids Cambridge : 49 dollars on the brand’s site.
• In Europe : each shop sets its own price, compare before you pay.

1. A local skate shop — you try it on, walk around, and nail an ollie. Nothing beats that for fit.
2. The brand’s website — Lakai lists all models and colors.
3. Specialty sites — handy if you already know your size in the brand.

The Lakai drama is making noise, but your session doesn’t hinge on the brand’s office. It’s all about your pair, and how many times you keep trying. Drop a comment telling us which pair you’re going for.

Good ride.

Cambridge in vulc or Telford de Joslin: which one would you go for on your next pair? Drop it in the comments ↓